Toy ladder truck



H. T. KINGSBURY TOY LADDER 'rnucx July 4, 1939 Filed March 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 4, 1939.

H.-T. KINGSBURY TOY LADDER TRUCK Filed March.8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in wheeled toy vehicles, and more particularly to a wheeled toy vehicle having a movable object, such as a ladder, which can be moved or raised relative to the vehicle.

The invention is particularly concerned with a toy ladder truck and relates specifically to improvements in a ladder truck of the type shown in U. S. Letters Patent 818,261, granted to me on April 1'7, 1906. The ladder truck shown and described in this prior patent is one wherein the ladder is elevated automatically when the forward end of the vehicle strikes an obstacle.

An object of the invention is to provide a toy ladder truck which is of extremely simple construction and wherein elevation of relatively heavy steel ladders is assured. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy ladder truck of the above type, having an improved escapement mechanism for retarding or controlling upward movement of the ladder.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious, and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the improved ladder truck with the ladder folded thereon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, showing the base of the ladder and the escapement mechanism.

Figure 3 is a top plan View showing the escapement mechanism.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of Figure 3.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, the toy ladder truck is illustrated as including a body portion Ill preferably formed from stamped sheet metal. The body portion is supported on front and rear wheels ll, [2, respectively. A conventional spring motor I3 is provided between the rear wheels I2 for driving the same in a manner well known in the art. The body portion of the truck has upper and lower ladder sections l4, 15, respectively, the lower section l5 having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the body portion and the upper section I4 being pivotally connected to the opposite end of the lower section. The ladder sections are formed from sheet steel, and are provided with rungs it. Thus, the ladder sections, being made of sheet steel, are relatively heavy, and it is necessary to provide elevating means for assuring that the ladder sections will be properly raised.

The body portion I0 is provided with a pair of upstanding ears I! slightly in rear of the driver's seat. The adjacent end of the lower ladder section I5 is secured to a bracket l8 which is provided with similar depending ears I9. The ears I1 and I9 are apertured and are adapted to receive a pivot pin 20 so as to pivotally mount the base of the lower ladder section on the vehicle body. A spring 2| is coiled around the pivot pin 2 ll and has one end 2la thereof in engagement with a recess 22 in the body portion Ill. The opposite end 21b of the spring 2| abuts against one rung of the lower ladder section l5. Thus, the spring 2| tends to normally rotate the ladder section I5 upwardly about the pivot pin 20.

The opposite or free end of the lower ladder section 15 carries a bracket 23 which is pivotally connected by means of a pin 24 to a similar bracket 25 on the rear end of the upper ladder section It. The upper and lower ladder sections are thus pivotally connected to one another and the free ends of the upper ladder section l4 carry rubber bumpers 26. A spring 2! is coiled around the pivot pin 24 and the ends 21a, 21b, bear on the ladder sections l5 and I l, respectively. Thus, the spring 2'! tends to rotate the upper ladder section I4 upwardly about the pivot pin 24. The base of the lower ladder section l5 carries an upstanding bracket 28 on which the bumpers 26 at the ends of the upper ladder section rest when the ladder is folded, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A link 29 is connected for free pivotal movement to the bracket 25. A similar link 30 is connected for free pivotal movement to an upstanding lug 3| on the body portion Ill. The link 30 extends rearwardly of the vehicle above the supporting bracket 28, and has the opposite end thereof secured to a coiled spring 32, the opposite end of which is secured to the link 29.

The bracket [8 is provided with an apertured lug 33 to which is pivotally connected the eyelet end 34 of a link 35. The opposite end of the link 35 is provided with a hook portion 36 which extends through and engages the under surface of a sliding plate 31. The body portion I0 is provided with an elongated aperture 38 over which the plate 31 slides. The plate 31 is provided with a downwardly extending tongue portion 39 which is provided with outwardly extending ears 40 which engage the under surface of the body portion H! at opposite sides of the slot 38. Thus, the lugs 4i] aid in preventing removal of the plate 31 when the ladder sections are elevated. Vihen the ladder sections are elevated, rotation of the lower ladder section about the pivot pin 20 will effect forward movement of the plate 31 by means of the connecting link 35.

The plate 31 is provided with a zig-zag or sinu ous aperture 4| extending longitudinally thereof. A housing 42 is disposed beneath the body portion II) in rear of the slot 38, and is provided with flanges 43 which are secured to the under side of the body portion. An oscillating lever is pivotally mounted within the housing 42. This lever consists of a. pair of substantially identical sheet metal sections 43, 44, which are secured together, and which substantially fill the space within the housing 42. These sections 43, 44, are each provided with opposed arms 45, 46, 45a, 46a. The arms 45, 45a, have secured thereto a weight W and the arms 46, 4611', have welded thereto a weight W. The sections 43, 44, are pivotally mounted within the housing 42 by means of a pin 41. The housing 42 is provided with transverse slots 48, 48a, and the body portion is also provided with similar aligned slots 49, 49a. A U-shaped wire 55 is provided with leg portions 5|, 5|a, which extend through the transverse slots 48, 49, and 48a, 49a, respectively. The leg portions 5|, 5Ia, of the wire 50 extend through the sections 43, 44, and also through the sinuous slot 4| in the plate 31. The free ends of the leg portions 5|, 5|a, are bent outwardly beneath the housing 42 to prevent removal of the wire 55. The closed end of the wire 58 also aids in preventing removal of the plate 31 when the ladder sections are elevated. When the ladder sections are elevated and the plate 31 moves forwardly, the sides of the sinuous slot 4| engaging the leg portions 5|, 5Ia, of the wire 50 will effect oscillation thereof against the inertia of the weights W, W. Thus, the mechanism serves as an escapement device to retard movement of the ladder sections to their elevated positions.

The housing 42 is provided with lateral flanges 52, 52a, each of which is provided with a slot 53, 53a. A lever 54 is provided with a hooked end 55 which is engageable with one of the rungs of the upper ladder section I4 and thus serves as a catch to maintain the ladder sections folded. The lever 54 is provided with wing portions 58, 56a, which extend through slots 51, 51a, disposed parallel to and outside of the elongated slot 38 in the body portion. The lower ends 58, 58a of the wing portions 56,. 56a, respectively, extend through the slots 53, 53a, in the flanges 52, 52a, and are bent outwardly beneath these flanges so as to prevent disengagement of the lever. The lever is rockable on the flanges 52, 52a, and is provided with a flange portion 59 disposed above the plate 31. This flange portion 59 is provided with laterally extending portions 60, 60a, spaced from the body portion of the lever 54.

A U-shaped bumper rod or trip 6| extends in front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 1. This bumper rod is provided with leg portions 52, 62a which extend rearwardly along the body portion Ill and are disposed on opposite sides of the slot 38 and the plate 31. The rear ends '53, 63a, of the leg portions 62, 62a, respectively, are turned upwardly and extend between the body portion of the lever 54 and the laterally extending lugs 6|], 611a, respectively. Thus, movement of the bumper rod 6| when the vehicle strikes an obstacle, will effect corresponding rearward movement of the lever 54 so that the hooked end 55 thereof will release the upper ladder section.

When the ladder sections I4, I5, are folded to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lever 54 is pushed forwardly so that the hooked end 55 thereof will engage one of the rungs I6 of the ladder section I4 to maintain both ladder sections folded. In this position of the lever 54, the bumper rod or trip 6| extends forwardly of the vehicle. Also in this position of the ladder sections, the plate 31 is disposed in its extreme rearward position.

When it is desired to elevate the ladder sections, the trip 6| may be manually forced inwardly toward the vehicle or the vehicle may be driven by the motor I3 so that the forward end thereof will strike an obstacle. Inward movement of the trip 6| will force the lever 54 rearwardly to release the hooked end 55 thereof from one of the rungs of the upper ladder section I4. When the ladder sections are thus released, the spring 2! operates to rotate the ladder section I5 in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 20. Similarly, the spring 21 operates to rotate the ladder section I4 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the lower ladder section about the pivot 24. It is necessary to prevent the upper ladder section I4 from extending rearwardly of the vehicle to such an extent that the combined weight of the two ladder sections would be too great for the spring 2| to effect elevation thereof. The spring 32, connected between the links 23, 3|], is placed under tension as the ladder sections are elevated to prevent or limit rearward movement of the ladder section I4. Thus, since the spring 32 is connected to the base of the upper ladder section I4 and to the vehicle, this spring operates to aid in the elevation of both ladder sections when placed under tension by the rearward movement of the upper ladder section I4.

When the lower ladder section I5 is rotated upwardly, similar movement of the link 35 is effected so that the link 35, through its connection with the plate 31, causes the plate 31 to slide forwardly with respect to the vehicle body II). The wire 54] which is carried by the sections 43, 44, of the pivoted lever, engages the edges of the sinuous slot 4| and is oscillated during forward movement of the plate 31. Engagement between the edges of the slot 4| and the wire 50 offers resistance to the forward movement of the plate 31 so that the upward movement of the ladder sections is correspondingly retarded. Thus, the ladder sections are effectively prevented from being elevated too rapidly.

When it is desired to return the ladder sections to the folded position, shown in Figure l, the upper ladder section I4 may be grasped and folded with respect to the lower ladder section I5. When the ladder sections are folded on the vehicle body, the lever 54 may be pushed forwardly so that the hooked end 55 thereof will engage one of the rungs of the upper ladder section I4.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, spring means bearing against said body and the adjacent end of said lower ladder section for elevating the same, an

upper ladder section pivotally connected to the 75 free end of said lower ladder section, a spring at the pivotal connection between said ladder sections for elevating the said upper ladder section, and releasable means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position.

2. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, spring means bearing against said body and the adjacent end of said lower ladder section for elevating the same, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, a spring at the pivotal connection between said ladder sections for elevating the said upper ladder section, spring means for limiting rearward movement of said upper ladder section during the elevation of both of said ladder sections, and releasable means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position.

3. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, catch means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position, spring means for elevating the said ladder sections upon release of said catch means, an escapement mechanism including a plate slidably mounted on said body for retarding the speed of elevation of said ladder sections, and means including a link connecting said plate with said lower ladder section whereby said plate is caused to slide upon movement of said ladder sections.

4. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, catch means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position, spring means for elevating the said ladder sections upon release of said catch means, an escapement mechanism carried by said body for retarding the speed of elevation of said ladder sections, said escapement mechanism including a plate slidably mounted on said body and weight means for retarding the sliding movement of said plate, and link means connecting said plate with said lower ladder section.

5. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, catch means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position, spring means for elevating the said ladder sections upon release of said catch means, a centrally pivoted lever mounted on said body and having weights at the ends thereof, a plate slidably mounted on said body, means connecting said plate with said weighted lever for effecting oscillation of said lever upon sliding movement of said plate, and means connecting said plate with said lower ladder section.

6. A toy ladder truck comprising a Wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, catch means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position, spring means for elevating the said ladder sections upon release of said catch means, a housing secured beneath said body, a lever centrally pivoted about a vertical axis within said housing and having weights on the ends thereof, a plate slidably mounted on the upper surface of said body and having a sinuous slot, means extending into said slot for causing oscillation of said lever upon sliding movement of said plate, and means connecting said plate with said lower ladder section.

7. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body having an elongated slot therethrough, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, releasable catch means for maintaining the said ladder sections in a folded position, spring means for elevating said ladder sections upon release of said catch means, a plate slidably mounted on said body portion and having a depending tongue extending through said slot, said tongue having lateral ears disposed beneath said body and engageable with the under surface thereof to prevent the disengagement of said plate, a lever centrally pivoted beneath said body and carrying weights at the ends thereof. said plate having a sinuous slot terminating short of the ends thereof, means carried by said lever and extending into said sinuous slot for effecting oscillation of sa d lever upon sliding movement of said plate, and means connecting said plate with said lower ladder section.

8. A toy ladder truck comprising a wheel supported body, a lower ladder section pivotally mounted on said body. spring means bearing against said body and the adjacent end of the lower ladder section for elevating the same, an upper ladder section pivotally connected to the free end of said lower ladder section, a spring at the pivotal connection between said ladder sections for elevating said upper ladder section, releasable means for maintaining said ladder sections in a folded position. and an escapement mechanism mounted on said body in rear of the base of said lower ladder section for retarding the speed of elevation of both of said ladder sections under the action of said springs.

HARRY T. KINGSBURY. 

